10 Things That Make Me Happy :D

I have been pretty stressed out the last couple of weeks, work and school have been super busy and frustrating. With all this stress and frustration mounting up I decided to stop and take a little break to take care of myself. Here are few little things that make me happy when life isn't going my way. Remember life is short taking care of yourself should always be your number one priority both mentally and physically. 

1.) MUSIC

Music has always been there for me whenever I needed. It calms me and sends me to a little world that is just my own. I pretty much listen to every genre out there even a little country now and then. I post weekly playlists a couple times a month so if you ever interested in what I am currently listening to check them out! 

2.)  COOKING

I am a huge FOODIE. I love to eat so much that I consider it a hobby. I am also very adventurous when it comes to food which led me to learn how to cook. Cooking is an art. There is just something so therapeutic in cooking from the prep to the finish product. It gives you a sense of empowerment and accomplishment (especially if it tastes good).

3.) HANGING W/MY LIL BRO

If you have siblings, you know that there are always moments where you wished you were an only child. I was one of them and sometimes I still do wonder a bit haha just kidding. I have two younger siblings, a 18 year-old little sister and a 10 year old little brother. My parents are one of those couples who wanted to try their luck having a kid past their prime and luckily for them they succeeded. I am 14 years older than my little bro who for the sake of privacy I will call him *Doug. While Doug may be only 10 I don't consider him a child he is a miniature adult. He understands things that most people in their 40s still don't get. He also doesn't act like a kid. He enjoys watching horror movies with me and Chinese soap operas with my grandmother and mom. I left for college when he was around 4 so I didn't get a chance to really watch him grow up but anytime I get a chance to hang out with him I take it. He never judges you and just loves you for who you are. 

4.) POKEMON

I know many of you are probably judging me reading this but I got no fucks to give. I am 23 years old and I still play Pokemon... enough said

5.) HORROR MOVIES

This might be kind of ironic but horror movies make me happy. I don't know if it is the scare or just watching other people's miseries it is just something I enjoyed ever since I was born. I was exposed to horror movies at an early age not on purpose. I hung around my older guy cousins growing up and it came with the territory. I love the Saw series and anything with a giant mutated creature. You name it I probably seen it... then again my life is like a horror movie sometimes...

6.) BOOKS

Yes, I actually read for fun I know that this might be shocking to most of you out there. This is something that I have taken for granted over the years. With the pressures of work and school I cherish any time I can get reading a book that is not educational. Reading like music sucks me away into another world, a world where I don't have to give any fucks. And who doesn't want to do that?

7.) NETFLIX

I wish I could get paid watching Netflix. Every since I signed up for one I have been hooked.... more like obsessed. If there was a Netflix anonymous meeting I would probably be the first person there.

8.) HONKING AT PEOPLE

Now before you call me crazy, I only honk at pretentious asshole drivers who think they are Vin Diesel. I don't know what is wrong with some of the drivers out there today. Is it really that hard to use your turn signal? Did your teacher ever taught you the word STOP? Are you really that selfish or blind that you have to take up 2 parking spaces for your smart car? I mean come on people...

9.) HANGING OUT W/MY FRIENDS

My friends are some of the best people I know especially the ones who have stuck around this long and if you know me believe me that I am not an easy person to be with. Anytime I am with them my worries just go away. They are always there for me no matter what time of the day or how silly of a problem I have. As Jerry McGuire says "You complete me"

10.) CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKES

I am not a big chocolate person, but I am ALWAYS DOWN for a chocolate milkshake. I was deprived of this when I was younger. My grandmother told me that I would be arrested if I ever drank one and my parents told me that they were drugs in them. As I got older and wiser obviously I knew better and drank them whenever I could especially with french fries... god I am so Americanized... 

Cera Ve Moisturizer Review + Update

Hey guys, long time no chat! I apologize for not posting as frequently as I normally do. My life has been taken over by finals and projects these last few weeks. For those of you who don't know I am currently in grad school pursing a master's degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Counseling. This is my first semester so I am just beginning to get in the swing of things (I took a year off after college due to health issues). Hopefully within the next couple of months I will have a schedule set out for everything. 

But anyways... I wanted to give you guys a little review on a product that I have been loving! Lately my skin has been acting up again due to weather changes and I needed and wanted to get a new moisturizer For me personally, when it comes to moisturizers I don't think it is necessary to spend a ton of money on one since it is one of those skincare products that runs out really fast. So I looked around my local CVS and decided to try the Cera Ve Moisturizing Cream.

PACKAGING:

Comes in a GIANT TUB like seriously one of the largest packagings I have ever seen for a moisturizer (16 oz).

FORMULATION:

This particular moisturizer is designed for normal to dry skin. The texture isn't too thick or thin and feels really light on the skin. You can use it as either a facial or body moisturizer. It contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates and moisturizers the skin and ceramides which are lipids that hold the skin surface together (this is a naturally occurring compound in your skin). It is a great day moisturizer layered with a SPF of course and on its own as an evening moisturizer. You can also mix it into your foundation to create a light tinted moisturizer. 

You can buy this at any drugstore near you as well as Targets and Wal-Marts. It retails for around $9-$12 depending on where you purchase it. It is a bit expensive for a drugstore moisturizer 

Si's Life: Miami Open 2015

Tennis in my family is more than a sport it's a lifestyle. My parents started their obsession in their 20's when they first moved to the states and passed this obsession to my siblings and I. All of us started playing at a young age and had professional training. My sister and I stopped training after a couple of years. Both of us weren't really interested in pursuing it any further and we managed to play fairly decent but nothing amazing. I ended up switching to soccer but still managed to play on my high school tennis team as did my sister. My 10 year old little brother is currently training and is definitely the one that inherited the playing gene. But even with the lack of playing skills, I still love to watch the sport. 

This past weekend I headed down to Miami to attend the Miami Open which is an annual tennis tournament showcasing the top players in tennis today such as Serena Williams, Rafal Nadal, Andy Murray and so forth. It definitely isn't as big as the US Open, French Open etc... but is still pretty intense on its own. This is my second time attending this and I ended up loving it even more than last time. 

The event itself is pretty huge not just drawing locals but also people from all over the country. It is held in Key Biscayne Miami and is usually around the end of March to the beginning of April. Besides the tennis tournaments, the event also showcases and sells tennis equipment from rackets, to sunglasses, to clothing. They also showcase and sell a variety of delicious local food from hamburgers, pizzas, frozen lemonade etc... There were also volleyball tournaments, fashion shows, and signings going on at the same time. The event itself is pretty organized however some of the people that work the event are not so pleasant. I unfortunately had some not so pleasant encounters with some of the staff that did a number on my mood. I understand from personal experience with events of this high velocity can get super stressful but adding saltness to it doesn't and won't ever help. But nevertheless it was a great time and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a tennis lover like me. 

Some of the players I got to see...

- Serena Williams

-Carla Navarro

-Andy Murray

-Martina Hingis

-Tomas Berdych

-Sania Mirza

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get that many pictures it was too hot and photographing tennis isn't an easy task. Check out my Instagram SZHAO91 for videos and shots of my adventure in Miami.

Current Skincare Routine Spring/Summer 2015

Disclaimer: I am in no ways a skin care expert. This is just what works for me every one's skin is different. If you have any concerns pertaining to your skin please consult with a dermatologist.

A little about my skin...
-Combination: Oily in the t-zone (forehead and down the nose) Dry everywhere else
-Acne Prone
-Sensitive

Cleanser:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple $11-$20

One of my favorite facial cleansers of all time. I tend to go back to this product a lot throughout the year especially if my skin starts to act up. It is super gentle but tough on oil, makeup and other skin residue. It also has a nice refreshing scent that isn't overpowering. Great for all skin types.

Moisturizer:

Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 15 (Day) $5.99

Yes, Trader Joe's sells skincare items and they are actually pretty awesome. I was just as surprised as some of you out there. Their Enrich moisturizer is a great for the day. It contains SPF 15 and isn't greasy or heavy. Great for normal to oily skin as well as sensitive. I don't recommend this for super dry skin. 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream  (Evening) $26.50

You don't have to use a different moisturizer for the day and evening this is just something I prefer. I don't like to wear SPF in the evening and I like something a little more heavier at night. Kiehl's always makes great stuff and this is no exception. The Ultra Facial Cream is very moisturizing but doesn't weigh down your skin. This one is for dry skin but they do have for normal and oily skin.

Serum:

Lancôme Visionnaire $79

Serums are a big thing in Asia and has recently become a big thing here in the states. Serums are concentrated moisturizers that contain vitamins and minerals. The texture allows for all the vitamins and minerals to sink in and makes it easier for the skin to absorb. This particular one by Lancome is amazing. It makes my skin super soft and helps keep my pores at bay. It also contains anti aging ingredients. It is never too early to start using anti aging products as a preventive measure. I like to use this product in the evening right before I apply my moisturizer.

Eye Cream:

Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Cream $18

Eye creams are an essential product when it comes to skincare. The skin under your eyes are very delicate and needs its own product. This eye cream contains antioxidant rich Rose Hip oil that help reduce wrinkles and bags. It is a very thick eye cream a little goes a long way. Another added bonus it smells really good. 

And last but not least...

Lip care:

Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm $28

This stuff is ridiculously expensive for a lip balm but so worth the money. It gives the lips a smooth and plump look while moisturizing AND also contains SPF 10. I like to apply this both day and night. O I almost forgot this stuff smells AMAZEBALLS that is if you like the smell of roses.